Timber-estimating device.



No. 753,940. PATENTED MAR. 8. 1904. C. L. WALKER. TIMBER ESTIMATING DEVICE.

APPLIQATION FILED DBO. 29, 1903. no MODE 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1;

11/; A TOR/Y rs.

"2 sums-sum 2.

PATENTED MAR. 8, 1904. 0. L. WALKER.

TIMBER ESTIMATING DEVICE.

APPLICATION IILBD'DEO. 29, 1903.

//YVE/YTOR a/07f W H/SQA TOP/YE).

No MODEL.

. g n. It

UNITED STATES Patented March 8, 1904.

PATENT EEicE.

TIMBER-ESTIMATING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming partvof Letters Patent No. 753,940,'dated March 8, 1904.

Application filed December 29, 1903. Serial No. 186,938. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern/.-

Be it known that I, CLINTON L. WVALKER, residing at Minneapolis, Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Timber-Estimating Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a device for estimating the number of logs of a given length in a standing tree.

7 In some sections of the country, particularly on the Pacific Slope, the trees grow large and to a great height, (from one hundred and twenty-five to one hundred and seventy-five or two hundred feet,) and it is difficult to deterime accurately without the use of some mechanical means the number of logs of a given length in a standing tree.

The object therefore of my invention is to provide a device by means of which a timber cruiser or estimator can easily and quickly and very accurately ascertain the number of logs of a certain length that can be cut from a standing tree. c

The invention consists generally in a barrel adapted to be held to the eye and an arc pivoted on said barrel and adapted to swing freely and automatically adjust itself to a perpendicular position as the barrel is tilted, said are bearing a series of marks or figures arranged to intersect with the line of vision from the barrel to the object looked at.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the manner of using the device. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing the device unfolded. Fig. 3 is a view showing the device in its folded position for convenience in carrying in a pocket or case. Fig. 4 is a section on the line y y of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a section on the line a" m of Fig. 3.

In the drawings, 2 represents a tube or barrel of suitable diameter and length, open at one end and provided at the other end with an eyepiece 3, having a centrally-arranged peep-hole 4:. At the forward end of the barrel is a bracket 5, supporting a pivot-pin 6, which, if extended, would pass through the center of the barrel and whereon the chord 7 of an are 8 is pivoted. A flange 9 is provided on the are 8, in the edge of which a series of notches 10 are formed, opposite which notches numerals running from .O to 11 are provided, as shown in Fig. 4. The numerals may be varied in number and the distance between the notches increased or decreased, according to the character of the timber to be estimated and the size of the arc. A sight-wire 10 is provided within the open end of the barrel 2, forming substantiallya continuation of the pivot-pin 6. This wire is for the purpose of enabling the person using the device to center the barrel on the object looked at. The chord 7 is extended beyond the are at one end and terminates in a weight 12, that has the functions of the bob on a plumb-line toautomatically adjust the chord in a perpendicular or plumb position regardless of the angle .to which the barrel is tilted. A spring clip device 13 is preferably provided on the barrel, adapted to engage the extended end of the are 7 when the device is folded to permit it to be conveniently carried in the pocket or in a case.

The proper position for the marks on the arc may be determined in various ways; but I have found the following a simple and con venient one. Lay off a base-line ten inches in length. At one end draw a perpendicular line, and if the length of the logs in which it is desired to cut the tree when felled is sixteen feet then place the marks on the perpendicular one and six-tenths of an inch apart and provide as many of them as will be necessary for estimating the logs in the tallest tree. This having been done, describe an are from the opposite end of the base-line and draw radial lines from the center of the circle to the marks on the perpendicular. The points of intersection of these lines with the arc will be the proper position for the notches and numerals thereon, assuming that it is desired to estimate the number of logs sixteen feet in length in a standing tree at a distance of one hundred feet from the foot of the tree. In determining the proper position of the marks on instruments for estimating logs other than sixteen feet in length it will merely be necessary to vary the distance between the notches on the perpendicular and increase or decrease the length of the base-line, care being taken to preserve the same ratio between the distance of. the notches apart to the length of the logs as the baseline to the distance a person stands from the foot of a tree.

In using the device above described the cruiser will pace off one hundred feet from the foot of a tree and raising the barrel to the eye will locate the proper height of the stump of a tree and then tilt the forward end of the barrel, following the trunk of the tree toward the top. As the forward end of the barrel is raised the weighted arc will automatically swing on its pivot and its chord will constantly maintain a perpendicular position, allowing the notches and numerals on the arc to be visible through the barrel as it is tilted. Suppose the operator tilts the barrel upward until the notch bearing the numeral 8 is visible, he will then know that the tree he is estimating will out eight logs each sixteen feet in length. In this way the number of logs in a very tall tree can be quickly and accurately determined.

I claim as my invent-ion- 1. The combination, withatube or barrel, of an are having its chord pivoted on said barrel and arranged to automatically adjust itself to the perpendicular, and said are being provided with a series of marks or notches that are arranged to intersect with the line of vision through said barrel to the object looked at.

2. The combination, with a barrel having an eyepiece at one end, of. an are mounted on a fixed pivot at the other end of said barrel and arranged to automatically adjust itself to the perpendicular, and said are bearing a series of marks or notches arranged to intersect with the line of vision through said eyepiece when said barrel is tilted vertically, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with a barrel having an eyepiece at one end and a sight at the other, of an are having its chord mounted on a fixed pivot on said barreland the lower end of said chord being extended and provided with a suitable weight adapted to automatically adjust the said chord and are to the perpendicular when said barrel is tilted vertically, and said are bearing a series of marks or notches arranged to intersect with the line of vision through said barrel, for the purpose specified.

4E. The combination with a support having a suitable sight, of an arc havingits chord pivoted on said support and adapted to automatically adjust itself to the perpendicular, and said are being provided with a series of marks or notches that are arranged to intersect with the line of vision over said sight to the object looked at.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 24th day of December, 1903.

CLINTON L. WALKER.

In presence of RICHARD PAUL, M. HAGERTY. 

